Coronavirus (COVID-19) Back to School Update – July 25, 2020

Happy Aloha Saturday Saint Mark Parents!

As if COVID-19 wasn’t enough, now we have Hurricane Douglas paying us a visit. In any case, I continue to hope and pray that you all are doing well as I am writing with the latest Saint Mark updates.

REOPENING CAMPUS PLAN IS ON-TRACK
Saint Mark Lutheran School continues to carefully monitor the community transmission rates of COVID-19 in Hawai`i and while the growing number of daily cases is troubling and is cause for increased vigilance and adherence to the recommended/required preventative strategies, Saint Mark Lutheran School remains confident that it is well positioned to safely reopen campus to students in the coming days.  As the school’s Reopening Campus Plan – Policy and Procedures – 2020-2021 clearly details, it may be necessary to pivot back to distance learning in the near or distant future; however, as Hawai`i remains in Impact Level YELLOW (Act with Care), the plan to re-open this week remains in effect.

STUDENTS RETURN TO CAMPUS THIS WEEK
K-8 students return on Wednesday, July 29  (with early dismissal)
Drop-off:  Gr K-8    7:15 to 7:55 a.m.
Pick-up:   Gr K-2    11:15 a.m.
Gr 3-5    11:30 a.m.
Gr 6-8    11:45 a.m.

ELC students return on Friday, July 31
Drop-off:  PK to 8    7:15 to 7:55 a.m.
Pick-up:   Gr K-2     2:15 p.m.
Gr 3-5     2:30 p.m.
Gr 6-8     2:45 p.m.
PK3&4    3:00 p.m.

FACULTY AND STAFF TRAINING
The entire faculty and staff convened on campus this past Thursday and Friday for two days of training and collaboration. Although faces were masked and physical distancing was in effect, everyone was excited to be together as it was the first time in over four months.  Much of the time was spent thoroughly discussing and practicing Saint Mark Lutheran School’s reopening campus plan.  The faculty and staff also participated in its annual Emergency First Aid and CPR Training.

FACE SHIELDS DONATED BY `IOLANI SCHOOL
Just in time for the first day back on campus, Saint Mark receives hundreds of custom fabricated face shields from `Iolani School.  These shields come in three sizes and will be given to the students to wear along with their masks from home for an added layer of protection.

BEFORE and AFTERCARE BEGINNING on AUGUST 10
In an effort to keep the student numbers low and to increase our ability to physical distance the students, Saint Mark’s extended care program has been drastically limited to no more than 10 to 12 students per class. Also, the start date for the Before and Aftercare program will not begin until Monday, August 10.  This extra time will be used to make certain that the program is operated as safely as possible.

PARENTAL EXPECTATIONS
As shared last week, it’s important to understand that all members of the Saint Mark School community have a shared responsibility to prevent the spread of illness when they are aware or suspect that they have contracted a communicable disease.  As such, we are asking/requiring our school families to support us in our efforts to stay safe.

Thank you for your time and support and, as always, please do not hesitate to contact the school office should you have any questions.

Mahalo, Blessings and Stay Safe,

David Gaudi
Head of School